The officials, on the other hand, assured that the Philippines is ready to protect its natural resources should the need arise.

“Nonetheless, all countries are free to enforce fishing rules within their own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Likewise, the defense establishment is ready to assist in enforcing the maritime rules in the Philippine EEZ; we will enforce the protection of our resources,” said Galvez.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides a coastal country a 200-mile exclusive economic zone. Incidentally, some areas in the disputed Spratly Islands occupied by China are inside the country’s EEZ.